The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has called on all Nigerians to acquire essential combat and survival skills to better protect themselves in the face of the country’s persistent insecurity.
He made these remarks during a recent television interview, framing self-defence training as a critical life skill comparable to learning how to swim or drive a car.
General Musa explicitly recommended that Nigerians learn martial arts such as Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo. He argued that these skills form a fundamental part of a “survival instinct” and should be considered normal preparation for modern life, regardless of whether the country is in a state of conflict. He pointed to practices in Europe, where learning to swim is often compulsory, as an example of how societies can effectively integrate essential safety training.
Furthermore, the Defence Chief proposed that the National Youth Service Corps programme should reintroduce robust training in unarmed combat for graduates.
He expressed his view that the current NYSC scheme has been “watered down” and stated that such training would be instrumental in preparing young people for day-to-day survival against criminal elements.
General Christopher concluded by emphasising that security is a collective responsibility.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant, be acutely aware of their surroundings, and learn to identify suspicious activities. He described the current world as a dangerous place filled with individuals who “don’t mean people well,” making personal preparedness through self-defence, swimming, and driving more important than ever.
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cc: Vanguard NG
